Frequently asked questions



DO YOU ACCEPT CANDIDATES FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES?



With U.S. immigration laws being what they are, we only accept candidates who are either American citizens or have obtained a visa or green card to reside within the united states.



DO I NEED TO BE MARONITE TO ENTER?



No. Candidates need to be Catholic, but not Maronite. If a Candidate is accepted, we will help him petition for an Indult of Accommodation to the Maronite Rite. This Indult would allow him to fully participate in the Maronite Church without losing his native rite or needing to transfer to the Maronite Church.



DO I NEED TO BE FREE FROM MY DEBTS TO JOIN?



Yes. We do not accept candidates who still have debts that need to be paid off. There are various organizations, such as Mater Ecclesia, that may be able to help with this.



HOW MUCH CONTACT DOES A MONK HAVE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS?



Parents and immediate family of monks and Candidates may visit their son up to four times a year, though not during the seasons of advent or lent. A monk may write to his family ("Snail mail") once a month, except during the penitential seasons mentioned above. In some cases, the monk may call his parents once a month in place of writing.

Regarding contact with friends, it is left to the superior's discretion, but it is generally more limited than contact with immediate family.



HOW OFTEN CAN I GO HOME AS A MONK?



Typically, we only go home when necessity or charity require it. IN practical terms, this means we rarely go home and only on big occasions, for example, a monk's priestly ordination, parents' 50th anniversary, or serious illness or death of a parent. We do not go home for weddings or baptisms.



CAN I BRING MY PHONE?



Candidates who arrive with their cell phones, leave them with the novice master who holds on to them during their time of probation. If the candidate is accepted to continue on, he would have to dispose of his phone before starting the novitiate.



WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO EMAIL AND INTERNET AS A MONK?



Use of internet and/or email is restricted to those who need it for their assigned tasks. Candidates and those in formation should expect not to have access to a computer.



WHAT RULE DO YOU FOLLOW?



We follow our own rule known as a Typicon. It was put together by our founder, Abbot William, who found inspiration in a variety of rules that best expressed the monastic charism he wished us to follow.

Our Typicon is available on our website for download (https://maronitemonks.org/our-life)



IF I AM CALLED TO THE PRIESTHOOD, WHERE WOULD I DO MY STUDIES?



All of our studies for priesthood and formation for the Monastic Life are done in house, that is, within the confines of the monastery. One of the monks has charge of the priestly formation program, with the understanding of our bishop.



DO YOU ACCOMMODATE CANDIDATES WITH FOOD SENSITIVITIES?



We might be able to accommodate a candidate's special diet depending on what it consists in. However, given the nature of community life, this can only be done to a limited degree on a case by case basis.



DO YOU ACCEPT CANDIDATES WHO ARE ON PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS SUCH AS ANTI-DEPRESSANTS OR MOOD STABILIZERS?



Unfortunately, NO. Life in a cloistered monastery involving living in close quarters with one another and rarely leaving the property makes for an intense atmosphere that requires a certain level of psychological strength. Hence, we do not accept anyone on psychotropic medications.



Most Holy Trinity Monastery



67 Dugway Road
Petersham, Massachusetts 01366
978.724.3347